Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Storm

The storm that separates Zeon and Lanz from the others is annoying, to say the least. Lanz wrings out his shirt and grumbles, kicking the ground from under the rock they had found to pass the storm by.

Zeon watches Lanz, noting his stomach. He’s glad Lanz seems to be too busy complaining to even notice.

“I hate the rain,” Lanz grumbles. “Always makes me all weak in the knees. Storms are even worse.”

A crack of lightning as Zeon sits down. “Then we wait it out, just stop your jabbering.”

“Yeah, yeah,” Lanz joins him, sighing. “This sucks.”

“I know.”

Sword

Lanz’s sword is bigger than he is, so when he had Zeon’s (along with his shield) in hand instead, it feels a bit odd. How Zeon moves so smoothly with them, he doesn’t know. Maybe it’s because he’s been training forever.

Or maybe he’s just less of a lug. Lanz bets that’s what he would say if asked. He was a real jerk like that. 

Then again, maybe he’s curious about how Lanz uses that giant sword in turn. He supposes he’ll have to risk asking him about it sometime. But only if he’s sure Zeon won’t be a total mudder about it.

Sweat

“How much are you gonna sweat?” Lanz makes a face when he looks back at Zeon. “Until you take off that bloody coat?”

“I need to be prepared, and the coat has armour on it,” Zeon replies, tugging at his collar. “I can’t just--”

“Take it off already, mate!” Lanz gestures towards the Agnian girls. “Mio and Sena took theirs off, you’ll be fine!”

“Their coats aren’t armoured,” Zeon points out. “It’s different.”

Lanz rolls his eyes and marches over to him, trying to pull it off. “Guess I have to do it for you!”

“Lanz, you buffoon! Unhand me, right now!”

“Then take off your coat!”

“Never!”

Shadow

Lanz notices his own shadow on the wall by the camp, illuminated only by the fire. He decides to have fun with it, making shapes that resemble creatures in the bareest sense with a grin on his face.

He doesn’t notice Zeon is watching him until another shadow joins his own. A hand taking on a shape that resembles a bunnit. He jumps and looks, Zeon only snorts at him. A silent understanding following a silent argument.

Lanz goes back to it and Zeon keeps watching, occasionally humoring him with a shadow animal of his own. Not as often, but that’s fine by Lanz. He would rather Zeon not get in his spotlight.

Swim

Zeon has started to notice Lanz is slow in water, slower than usual. Others clear through it without an issue (save Eunie and him having to dry their wings), but Lanz? He moves so slowly and then when he gets out he takes even longer to dry.

He wonders why he’s like that, wonders if even Lanz knows. That Commander of Colony 30 -- Valdi -- had once babbled at the both of them on his theory on that… But Zeon is finding it hard to recall at the moment.

Ah, it’s because he’s looking at Lanz’s stomach again as he squeezes the spare water from his shirt. That always was distracting.

Shallow

“We can make the jump,” Lanz says, looking down. “Look, there’s a body of water right there!”

“Are you certain?” Zeon asks, looking as well. “It looks like it may be shallow.”

“Nah, totally isn’t! I bet it’s deep!” Lanz says. “I don’t even have to check the iris to be sure.”

“I don’t think I can trust your gut, I’d rather we check the iris,” Zeon shoots back. “We should be careful, I’m sure Taion would agree.”

“Taion is a nerd. ”

“Excuse me--”

“Not now, Taion! Me and Zeon are arguin’!” Lanz barks. “Anyway, just watch me!”

He jumps and Zeon is going to have fun telling him he told him so and Eunie and Taion tend to his shattered legs.

Swallow

He swallows hard, forcing down the spongy spud. Why had they had to get separated from the group again? Why did neither of them know a bloody thing about cooking? Why did Zeon have spongy spuds on him?!

Lanz thinks he would prefer them to be at least boiled, but whatever. They’ve gotta eat something and they aren’t poisonous when raw, apparently… So here they are. Zeon chewing away without a care in the world.

“You’re an odd one, Zeon,” Lanz says. “You eat ‘em straight up raw like this often?”

Zeon chews, chews, swallows. He looks at Lanz and says the one thing Lanz didn’t want to hear.

“Shut up, Lanz.”

Sneer

He’s sneering at the first attempt to knit something, so Lanz knows he has to go back to the drawing board. There was only so much City folk could teach him before he got annoying, though.

“Anything good to say?” Lanz asks. “Anything at all?”

Zeon thinks for a moment, crossing his arms. “I suppose I… Like…”

Lanz leans closer to him, a grin on his face. “Yeah? Yeah! Come on, give me your praise!”

“The colors are nice, you picked good yarn for it,” Zeon finally settles on, lamely enough.

“You suck!” Lanz frowns. “I thought you’d actually say something I did!””

“You picked the yarn,” Zeon replies. “My compliment counts.”

“Like snuff it does!”

Sleep

Lanz can’t sleep, but Zeon sure can. After trying for a while longer, Lanz decides what he needs is some cuddles. Thinking about who to choose for a moment, Eunie and Sena both in the running, he settles on Zeon.

Crawling over to him, Lanz lays down and rests his head against his shoulder. Man, why are winged Kevesi folks so… Soft?! It’s just not fair, if you ask Lanz. He’s way too hard to every be the first choice for a cuddle.

Though Zeon is a bit of a weirdo, turning and cuddling right into him. Man, he needs to show Zeon how comfortable beds are in the City one of these days. He’ll never be able to go back.

Slap

Zeon is trying not to laugh while Lanz rubs his cheek. He had just been slapped by Mio -- not out of malice, min you. But still slapped. All because of a bug Lanz hadn’t even noticed in time to save himself from the event.

Lanz continues to rub his cheek and glares at Zeon while the latter gets a bandage ready. “It ain’t funny!”

“It’s a little funny,” Zeon says, showing a small smile. “You have to admit it.”

“It snuffin’ hurts!” Lanz shoots back. “Nothing funny about that!”

“I’m sorry it hurts, but it’s still hilarious to see the bloodlust centered on a tiny insect,” Zeon replies. “Personally, I would have simply relocated it.”

“You’re a real weirdo, you know that?”

Stab

Lanz holds the wound on his side an words catch in Zeon’s throat. Stabbed by a random Kevesi soldier as they tried to travel through Aionios. Stabbed so suddenly and all Zeon can do is not get stabbed himself.

He watches as Lanz goes own, and still he deflects attacks targeted at Sena. He grits his teeth as Eunie and Taion both tell him to get up. He fights on, as if Lanz had not been stabbed and gone down because of it.

He scolds Lanz for it, when things settle down. Dresses the wound himself.

He does not want to see something like that happen again.

Shot

“You shot me!” Zeon’s voice raises in pitch. “How could you shoot me?!”

“Uh, uh…!” Lanz panics. “Call it a bit of friendly fire, mate?”

“Friendly fire?!” Zeon hisses. “We weren’t even in battle , Lanz!”

Lanz wonders if Full Metal Jaguar is not the Class for him as Zeon holds his leg. He had been aiming at, well, not any of his friends! His aim just happened to be utter shite , apparently. Usually that worked because it hit a lot of enemies even if not the one he was aiming for.

Right now, though, it was a bit of an issue.

“Let me patch it up! Just… don’t tell Eunie, alright?”

Snack

Lanz is eating a snack at camp and Zeon can’t help but be curious. He’s seen him snacking here and there, but can never figure out what snack bar it is. Given he’s also a bit hungry himself (albeit not hungry for a full meal as Manana would make), maybe he wants to know if there’s one he can steal.

Steal being the key word, as he’s sure Lanz will not just hand it over without a fight. He’s a bit protective of his food. At least he had been for as long as Zeon had known him. And the day that changed was the day the vortex would clear.

Steer

Well, they were on their way to make the vortex clear. Zeon holds on tight as Lanz yells and holds the girls as they’re thrashed around. Riku is steering, but Lanz may as well be right behind him barking orders. Not that those orders would be any good.

He reaches out and grabs Lanz’s hand. He’s thrown around more thanks to it, but he wants to stay like this. Should something go wrong… He’d like for it to go wrong while holding onto a dear friend.

Not that Lanz got to know that. No, that was something he would take to his grave. Early or not.

Ship

This ship of Samon’s is quite impressive. Unlike Lanz, Zeon wasn’t there to hear the name, and he’s not keen on asking… But the design alone is quite nice. He can see why the Nopon wants to be careful with it.

He and Lanz stand on the deck, side by side. Staring out at the many islands of the area. Soon, this will all be over. This will all be gone. The feelings he holds deep inside him will be gone, too.

He reaches out and his fingers brush against Lanz’s, testing the waters. Lanz reaches out and holds his. He would like this moment to last, at least for a little while.

Snicker

Lanz snickers at the look on Zeon’s face when he finally tries something spicy. Those winged folks… You can never tell how they’ll react. Either like they taste nothing at all or they end up nearly keeling over.

He passes him some Armu milk, which Zeon downs greedily. He glares at him and Lanz looks away, acting innocent. It had been his idea to ask Manana to add some extra spice to the meal, after all.

“I hate you,” Zeon hisses out. “You did that on purpose.”

“Nah, I just like spicy food!” Lanz lies. “I swear!”

“You’re a terrible liar, you know.”

“I know.”

Sun

Zeon finds himself missing the sun from time to time. Not too often, but when it’s been cloudy for days, he can’t help but find himself missing it. The only good thing about it was Lanz wasn’t blistering hot to the touch without the sun

He doesn’t know where that correlation comes from, he just knows it exists. If he were to ask Lanz, he’s sure he would be just as lost. How would he not be? He seems oblivious to things about himself.

Enough so that even when they’d held hands before… He supposes he shouldn’t have expected it to become than just that. Holding hands with a friend on the deck of a ship. 

Ugh, if Lanz was stupid, Zeon was an entire idiot.

Son

“That Triton fellow,” Zeon glances towards the pirate-like group that is known as Colony 15. “He slapped my back and called me son. Do you have any clue what that means?”

Lanz hums, closing his eyes. “The folks at the City said sons are things boys are to mothers and fathers, I think. Usually by blood or this thing called… Adoption.”

“Adoption?” Zeon tilts his head to the side.

“When you’re not related, but they decide they’re gonna be your parents.” A beat. “Do you think Triton is tryin’ to adopt you?!”

“I doubt it,” Zeon replies… But a piece of him? A piece of him wonders.

Sibling

“How would you describe your relationship with Valdi?” Zeon asks one day as they sit at the Colony 30 canteen. “The two of you seem to get along well.”

“We’re…” Lanz thinks for a moment. “Well, you remember the whole thing about what son is, right?”

“I do,” he nods. “What does that have to do with anything?”

“Well, being a son is one way to be someone’s kid. If someone has more than one they’re siblings,” Lanz replies. “Apparently you can see people who aren’t your siblings like they are one, though.”

“Oh,” Zeon says, finding this all a bit odd.

“I guess me and Valdi are like siblings,” Lanz rubs his chin. “Yeah, that sounds right.”

“Whatever you say…”

Sorrow

The sobs that wrack through Lanz’s body is hard to listen to, but Zeon goes on. He holds Lanz close and lets him cry. They had found the Agnian Queen, but at the cost of an old friend. Someone who had known them before Zeon did.

And Lanz’s sorrow was clear. Only shown when they were alone. He holds him close and waits for it to pass. Waits for him to find it in him to poke at Zeon and get on his nerves as usual. To grin and say they need to keep going -- for Joran.

Zeon doesn’t know why, but a piece of him is jealous of Joran.

Single

“Are you single?” Zeon repeats to Lanz later. “That’s what the City girl asked me. I have no clue what it means.”

“It means she was askin’ you out!” Lanz says. “She wanted to be your lover, I guess.”

“Oh,” Zeon replies. “I wasn’t interested. If I had to have a lover, I think I would pick a man.”

Lanz nods. “Like Noah or Taion?”

“Probably more like you,” Zeon replies, then decides he needs to add on quickly. “Not you specifically, though. That would just be--”

“Zeon,” Lanz says. “Wanna hold hands again?”

Zeon wishes for a moment Lanz was as oblivious as he thought he was.

Signal

It’s the signal from Noah to attack and they’re both going. Lanz isn’t currently acting as a Defender and it takes Zeon a moment to remember that. To remember he’s supposed to be protecting him too.

It’s hard to remember someone as big as him, as reckless as him, sometimes needs help, too. That right now, Eunie doesn’t need his help and is instead holding enemy attention with him.

He throws an enemy away from Lanz and Lanz lets out a breath.

“Thanks,” he says, a nice smile on his face.

“Stay alert, Lanz,” is all Zeon is able to bring himself to say.

Sign

It’s a sign, when Zeon gets cold and Lanz shares his coat. What it’s a sign of, he’s not sure…But it certainly is one. Maybe a sign of his changing feelings towards the large Kevesi. A sort of warmth in his chest.

One that didn’t only exist when he saw Lanz shirtless, either. Thank goodness, he was starting to think he was what Sena and Eunie started to call “perverted.” At least, he thinks that’s what it’s called?

Ah, well, it doesn’t matter. For now, he has plenty to think on. And a coat to be warm in as they travel through the upper levels of the region…

Too bad Lanz seems to be shivering.

Sing

Zeon hears the music in the City and finds himself wanting to take part. Instruments are not for him -- those are more Noah and Mio’s speed -- but still he wants to try. And so, he sings as suggested. Voice shaky and unclear at first.

Lanz watches him sing, watches him become more confident. He can already hear the quips and snarky remarks when he finishes. Bracing himself, he sings until his throat becomes sore.

He finally stops and catches his breath. Lanz leans over to whisper in his ear and he’s already frowning.

“You sing nice, Zeon,” Lanz whispers. “You should do it more.”

He can’t catch his breath anymore.

Song

The songs of off-seers are songs of mourning. He stands next to Lanz as Mio and Noah play. Watches as the motes of light rise. Watches as their souls are guided onto their next life. Lives they didn’t even know they would have.

Lanz puts a hand on his shoulder and squeezes. Zeon closes his eyes and puts his own over Lanz’s. They stand there and they listen, comforting each other silently through the song. The song of the dead and the song of their future.

Zeon only hopes they have one together. Despite it all, he wants to be with him.

Chapter Text

School

Lanz doesn’t like his schoolmate Zeon. He’s a prissy little High Entia that Lanz is already taller than. What right does he have to boss him around, huh? Eunie agrees with him, too! Even if Joran and Noah don’t…

But that’s because they’re goodie goodies, just like Zeon. Only less annoying. Zeon just makes him not want to go to school.

It doesn’t help that the few times he can catch sight of Zeon and watch him for a while. Just quietly staring and feeling like there’s something tugging on him. Trying to pull him closer and closer.

Lanz pushes it away and decides it’s because he doesn’t like him.

Stare

Zeon knows that the Machina named Lanz is staring at him again. He’s always staring at him these days. What, he’s never seen a High Entia with this small of a set of wings before? It was probably something like that, the jerk just hadn’t found the words for that yet.

But Zeon guesses he stares sometimes, too. Stares at him and feels like something in the back of his head is trying to get out. Whatever that something is, he’s a bit afraid of it. Like if he figures it out he won’t be able to stay away.

(He won’t be able to forget.)

Shave

Neither Lanz nor Zeon need to shave as they grow, but Joran sure does. Lanz has watched him do it a few times and seen what happens when he doesn’t. Stubble and sometimes even the starts of a beard appear on his face and Eunie and he prod and poke at him until he shaves it.

He says he’s not much of one for facial hair, someone more mature than him would rock it much better than he does. Lanz and Eunie agree that Noah would wear one better, but in the back of Lanz’s mind?

He imagines Zeon with a beard, and can’t stop blushing for the rest of the day.

Spat

Lanz and Zeon get in spats almost weekly. Even now that they’re both adults (Lanz eighteen and Zeon nineteen respectively), it seems they find something to fight over. Not that Zeon is complaining (at least not loudly).

It’s a way to spend time with him, despite it all. A way to tug at that strange feeling that grows more with every day. Eventually, he tugs at it hard enough that it comes free. And he knows this isn’t the only life where they’ve had spats.

He cries for a while after remembering it. Remembering Aionios and his feelings. His wants for a future together. And then, he’s let wondering…

Does Lanz remember?

Spear

“Anti-Ether Spear,” Lanz reads the name plate in the museum outloud. “It’s massive!”

“It was made to be held by Face Units,” Zeon repeats the fact from high school. “Of course it is.”

“Can you believe the Queen went up against these things?” Lanz asks. “That’s crazy!”

“There’s been crazier things,” Zeon replies, watching for a reaction. “Maybe even things that happened to us, even if we don’t remember it.”

“That sounds ridiculous,” Lanz snorts. “The hell are you talking about, Zeon?”

Zeon frowns. Not a sign of him knowing what he meant by that. He shouldn’t get his hopes up, he reminds himself.

“Nothing, Lanz. Don’t you worry about it,” he waves a hand in the air. “Do you want to go see the Egil exhibit next?”

“Oh boy, do I!”

Skirt

Zeon is skirting around something with Lanz, and it’s starting to bother him. What, does he think he’s too stupid to get it? That he would’t understand or something equally dumb like that. Bloody arsehole…

So he thinks. Thinks of all the little things said to him. He tries to connect them, despite it all. Pulls at the threads that Zeon only wants to skirt around. Pulls and pulls until things unravel in front of him.

All he can think, when he can actually think again. When he’s no longer too overwhelmed to try and process. All he can think is now he gets a lot more about Zeon and Noah both.

Skip

“Let’s skip the party this year,” Lanz suggests it and Zeon raises an eyebrow. “The Queen’s Anniversary, I mean.”

“You always look forward to the fireworks, though,” Zeon says. “Are you sure you’re willing to miss out on that?”

“Yeah,” Lanz nods. “I have… Somethin’ I want to talk to you about. All alone and all that.”

Zeon nods, but clearly still isn’t fully sold on this. “Are you sure you don’t plan on trying to murder me or something?”

“Hello no!” Lanz shakes his head. “We only got one more life to live, Zeon. I can’t waste yours like that.”

“One more…” Zeon says. “By that you mean…?”

Lanz looks him in the eye. “I remembered, Zeon.”

Scar

Zeon runs his hands across Lanz’s back. He had heard of phantom pain and limbs before. It was something that came up often in lessons about Face Units and Mechon or Telethia raids. The way people would lose limbs and need replacements.

(Not everyone could be put through the regeneration chamber, and even if they were, there was a wait time.)

But phantom pain for a phantom set of scars is something new. The way Lanz reacts tells him they’re real, though. His back, covered in traumas of a past life. Of a life where Joran died for him.

He wonders if it should be him here, instead.

Seer

There’s no such thing as a Divine Seer anymore, the last one had vanished with the death of Zanza, but Lanz sometimes thinks he can see things coming well enough to make him jealous. Things like the doubt and overthinking on Zeon’s face after he shows him his phantom scars.

Maybe he shouldn’t have done that, huh? He hadn’t wanted to hurt Zeon. That was the last thing he wanted after everything.

He pulls Zeon closer and kisses his forehead. Not a perfect fix, he can already see that, but that’s alright.

Something is better than nothing. Trying is better than not. Being uncertain was better than knowing it all.

If you knew it all, what would be the point in going forward?

Speak

“Well then? Speak up,” Zeon says. “Did you really go and try to get Eunie to remember, too?”

Lanz nods, looking a bit ashamed of himself. But only a little ashamed. “I think Noah already does, but dunno how to approach him, so…”

“So you wanted to get Eunie to remember so she would ask for you,” Zeon sighs, shaking his head. “I can’t believe I’m in love with you--”

“Huh?” Lanz blinks. “What was that?”

“Nothing.”

“Come on,” Lanz stands up. “Speak up!”

Zeon is red in the face now. “I didn’t say anything! Don’t worry about it, Lanz!”

“Aw, no need to be sh-- OOF!”

Speech

The Queen is giving a speech and Lanz still can’t believe he actually knows her. Or, well, knew her. Zeon seems to be in similar awe as he stares up at her, a familiar look in his eyes. The kind of look he usually gives his friends.

He reaches out and lets his fingers brush against Zeon’s as they listen and watch. Contact with another world. Contact with a world they knew well. Contact with their old friends.

Zeon grabs his hand in return. Fills him with even more hope, even if they might not remember them. At least not yet.

He holds Zeon’s hand tight and everything feels just about right.

Spill

Lanz spills his drink all over Zeon just about every time he thinks he sees an old friend. At first, Zeon tries not to be too upset by it. After all, he’s quite excited by the idea, too. But this is the third pair of pants this week.

“Lanz, we need to talk about this,” he finally says through gritted teeth. “You can’t keep doing this to me.”

“Sorry,” Lanz replies, rubbing the back of his head sheepishly. “I don’t mean to, I just get so excited, y’know?”

“I know, but you need to be more careful,” Zeon chides. “Next time you do it, I’m spilling mine on you. On purpose.”

“Hey!”

Secret

Lanz and Zeon are keeping their relationship a secret, if only because of what it’s built on. Most would look at them like they were crazy if they spoke of Aionios. Of a time neverending that they fought to escape. Of their data resetting but holding those latent memories.

It’s especially because most would be better off not remembering. Those who hadn’t had a choice to build a community and friendships. Who had only fight and died over and over again. Who had suffered.

They were the lucky ones, to have positive memories of Aionios and to remember them after its fall. And even then, the weight sometimes crushed them.

But at least they had one another.

Scorn

“So, Eunie ended up remembering, and it’s because of you,” Lanz frowns at his boyfriend, who won’t meet his eye. “Mister scoldin’ me for tryin’ to get her to remember.”

Zeon knows he deserves this scorn, but he also can’t help but try and defend himself. “I didn’t mean to, unlike you. It simply… happened.”

“Because,” Lanz says. “Of spongy spuds.”

“Yes,” Zeon nods. “That is what I said. Do you need me to repeat the story again?”

“Don’t start with me!” Lanz snaps. “How did you make her remember with some Meyneth forsaken taters?!”

“Don’t use your ex-goddess’s name in vain,” Zeon scolds. “And… I don’t know. I guess she associates them with that old me, for some reason.”

“Gee,” Lanz drawls sarcastically. “I wonder why.”

Scare

When Zeon walks in on Lanz bent over, holding his stomach, he panics. It reminds him of a distant memory, of Lanz with a stab wound. Falling over and all Zeon can do is try to keep fighting--

He shakes it off and kneels next to him “Are you alright?”

“Stomach… ache…” He groans. “Tried to eat--”

“Even though you aren’t built for it,” he sighs. To think he was scared for a moment there. “You’re such a dolt.”

“Takes one to love one,” Lanz shoots back.

“That’s not even the saying,” Zeon rolls his eyes. “But yes, I do love you. Let’s get you to bed.”

Scarf

Zeon is shivering in the winter, more than even Taion is. Lanz notices it -- how could he not? He thinks for a moment, before taking off his own scarf. He wraps it around Zeon’s neck and Zeon blinks, looking up at him.

“Thank you,” he says.

“No problem, looked like you need it more than me,” Lanz glances at the Agnians-- or he supposes the correct term is actually Alrestians, both huddles next to Sena. “And I don’t got flamin’ hair to help you out.”

“I’m glad you don’t,” he snorts. “It would make it much harder to be close to you when it’s warm out.”

“Too true,” Lanz doesn’t know if he’s blushing because of the cold or the words. “Too true.”

Sweater

Zeon is wearing the ugliest sweater Lanz has ever seen, but he somehow looks pretty cute. He can’t help but pick him up and hold him looking like that. It also helps that it lets him avoid actually seeing the sweater.

“Lanz!” Zeon yells. “What are you doing?!”

“Just wanted to hold ya,” Lanz replies with a grin. “Is that so bad?”

“It is when we’re trying to go to the living room,” Zeon replies. “You better not be trying to do anything dirty--”

Lanz snickers, his grin only growing. “It ain’t anything dirty! I just wanted to carry ya, okay?”

Zeon calms down a bit. “...Okay, fine.”

Struggle

Lanz is struggling more and more with the pains on his back these days. All Zeon can do is be there for him. Tracing the patterns of the hurt, over and over. In hopes it will actually do something. Make something change.

“Perhaps Joran would do a better job,” Zeon mumbles. “After all…”

“Nah, he wouldn’t get it,” Lanz says. “He doesn’t remember like you do. Prolly wouldn’t want anything to do with it given how I got ‘em.”

“Ah,” he says. “I suppose you’re not wrong.”

“No one makes it feel as good as you do, anyway,” Lanz adds. “You make it hurt way less.”

For some reason, that makes Zeon happy.

Star

Lanz’s wish upon a shooting star is a bit silly, but hey. It’s his. There’s no reason not to be honest when he’s the only one who’ll know it. The others are all around him, Zeon right by his side, a hand over his own. 

Lanz smiles to himself and taps his fingers against the ground. Coming to see the star shower had been the right choice. Thank Meyneth he hadn’t cancelled last minute like he considered, hearing Triton would be there and all.

Hell, even seeing the old man again was kind of nice.

The only thing nicer was the wish to be with Zeon until the end.

Skin

Lanz likes the feel of Zeon’s skin. Likes to run his hands over all of it, whenever he gets the chance. Whenever Zeon won’t push him away and say now isn’t a good time. He doesn’t mind when that happens, but it’s so much better when Zeon is game.

He kisses his cheek and runs his hands over his shoulders. Zeon holds him close and feels his own skin, or whatever the Machina equivalent was. He wasn’t exactly good in biology class.

He just hopes that it’s just as nice for Zeon as it is for him. Though then they may never stop.

Save

“You saved my skin there!” Lanz claps his hands together. “Vanea would have my hide if she knew I forgot to do that…”

“You’re welcome,” Zeon replies, rolling his eyes (not that he actually seems that annoyed). “Would it kill you to say thank you?”

“Nah,” he shakes his head. “Thanks, Zeon, I really do appreciate it.”

“There we go,” Zeon looks back at him, a smile. “Here I thought I may have to tell Lady Vanea the truth.”

Lanz reels back. “What the hell, mate?! Do you want me to die?!”

“No, nothing of the sort,” he shakes his head. “I just think it would be funny.”

Safe

“You’re safe,” Zeon assures. “It was just a nightmare, Lanz. You’re safe.”

Lanz clings to him, lets out a gasp as he tries to suck in more air. Zeon just listens and rubs his back. Waits to see what he wants to do next, if anything. Holds him and keeps him as calm as he can.

“I hate it, I hate the dreams,” Lanz finally says. “The dreams of that world. I don’t like it. It feels like we never left.”

“We did leave, though,” Zeon says. “We got out, Lanz. And we’re happy and together.”

“I know,” Lanz sniffles. “I know.”

Slip

Lanz slips on the ice and Zeon can’t keep himself from laughing. It’s a belly laugh and he even ends up bent over as Lanz tries and fails to get up. He’s not great in the winter, but that’s fine. It just makes it all the more fun.

“Come on, then,” he walks over and offers a hand. “Do you need my help getting up?”

“No!” He replies, shaking his head. “I can get up on my ow-- oof!”

“Are you quite sure?” Zeon is laughing against, shoulders shaking. “I don’t mind helping--”

Lanz’s face is dark grey as he looks up at Zeon. “Shaddup!”

Snow

Zeon lets out a yell when a snowball nails him in the back of the head. His wings flutter an he looks back, frowning. Lanz grins at him, because of course he does. Lanz finds it funny to mess up Zeon’s hair after all the time he spent on it.

“Not funny,” he makes a snowball of his own. “At all!”

“Was kinda funny, you gotta admit!” Lanz says. “Look at you, all covered in snow!”

“Lanz…” He tosses the snowball of his own and it smacks the Machina right in the face. “You are such a jerk!”

Lanz yets out a yelp and falls over. Well, that at least makes Zeon feel a bit better.

Smile

Lanz’s smile makes Zeon smile, and Zeon’s smile makes Lanz smile. Something so simple, but it can leave them both smiling all day under the right circumstances. Eunie says it’s almost freaky sometimes, but also kinda cute. Joran assures it’s only just cute.

Doesn’t matter either way to Lanz, if he’s being honest. As long as Zeon’s happy, so is he. He just… Likes him. Likes him a lot and likes to see him doing well. To hell with anyone who tried to tease him about it!

…There was one thing he could go without, though. He’s not exactly… good with PDA. Makes him feel all mushy and gooey inside. Something he likes to save for when they’re in private.

But Zeon persists, nonetheless.